Nissan's Electric Car Shocks At $231,000

TOKYO — Nissan Motor Co. said last week it still plans to introduce an electric version of its Cedric/Gloria sedan next month as scheduled - but at a price of 25 million yen, or about $231,000.

When the company announced its intent last year to build an electric version of its upscale sedan, it said it expected the car to be priced at ''above 10 million yen,'' or about $90,000 at the time.

The conventional car is priced between $17,600 and $40,000, depending on equipment.

Nissan said it expected to sell 50 electric Cedrics to government agencies and corporations.

But a spokesman acknowledged last week that the company does not now expect to meet its target or turn a profit from the electrics.

''Because of the economy, we are not sure how many we can sell. But it will be less than 50, maybe half,'' the spokesman said.

To date, only two of the vehicles have been pre-leased to government agencies.

Nissan is the first automaker to try electric drive in an upscale car in Japan, where most electrics are minivehicles used by governments for garbage collection, street cleaning or light cargo.

The electric Cedric/Gloria is equipped with power steering and air conditioning, and has a claimed top speed of 68 mph and a range of 75 miles when driven at a speed of 25 mph.

The $231,000 price tag includes $9,200 for Nissan's quick-charger unit. The unit, which is about the size of an office desk, supplies a full recharge in six hours or a 90-percent recharge in only two hours.